Can laser eye surgery make you blind?

Let’s tackle a big fear head-on: “Can laser eye surgery make you blind?”

It’s a scary thought—and one that understandably stops some people from taking the next step. But the truth is: the risk of going blind from LASIK or PRK is virtually zero when performed by qualified professionals.

In this blog, we’ll explain why blindness is extremely unlikely, what risks do exist, and how to protect yourself with the right care team.

The short answer: No, LASIK won’t make you go blind

Laser eye surgery reshapes the surface of the cornea—not the back of the eye (the retina) or the optic nerve, where blindness would actually occur.

That means:

• LASIK doesn’t go deep enough to cause blindness
• There’s no risk of permanent loss of light perception in healthy eyes
• With modern lasers and trained surgeons, your vision is in safe hands

How rare are serious complications?

Infection, inflammation, or severe healing issues happen in less than 1 in 5,000 cases. And when they do, they are almost always treatable—especially when caught early.

Total, irreversible blindness from LASIK has never been documented in a healthy, properly screened patient.

What risks should I be aware of?

While LASIK won’t make you blind, there are a few rare but real risks to consider:

1. Infection

• Extremely rare
• Treated with antibiotic drops
• Can cause vision loss if ignored—but this is preventable.

2. Corneal ectasia

• A rare weakening of the cornea after surgery
• Mostly affects patients with undiagnosed corneal disorders
• We use advanced scanning technology to prevent this risk.

3. Retinal issues (not caused by LASIK)

• Sometimes patients experience floaters or retinal changes unrelated to surgery
• These can occur with age or high prescriptions
• LASIK does not increase the risk of retinal detachment.

How do we keep you safe?

At Elite LASIK & Cataract in Indianapolis, we follow strict safety protocols:

• Detailed pre-op testing to ensure your eyes are healthy
• Advanced corneal mapping to detect any red flags
• Experienced surgeons who customize every treatment
• Careful post-op monitoring to catch issues early.

If you’re not a good candidate, we’ll tell you—and suggest safer alternatives.

What’s the actual worst-case scenario?

The worst-case (but rare) outcomes might include:

• Prolonged dry eye symptoms
• Halos or glare around lights at night
• Needing enhancement surgery.

These are manageable with drops, glasses, or additional treatment—and nothing close to blindness.

So, where does the fear come from?

There’s a lot of misinformation online. Some stories come from outdated procedures or surgeries done in unregulated settings.

That’s why it’s so important to:

• Choose an experienced, board-certified surgeon
• Avoid “bargain basement” LASIK offers
• Stick with a clinic that prioritizes your safety over volume.

What should you do if you're nervous?

We get it—laser eye surgery is a big decision.

If you’re unsure, take our free suitability self-test to get started. It’s quick, easy, and gives you a personalized look at whether LASIK is right for your eyes.

Then, if you’re eligible, we’ll walk you through everything step by step—no pressure, no surprises.

Final thoughts

Can LASIK make you go blind? Realistically—no. The procedure is one of the safest elective surgeries in the world. The risk of blindness is so low that it’s not even on the radar for most ophthalmologists.

Still have questions?
Take our quick suitability self-test today and get answers tailored to you.